The Red Cross of Anchorage is providing meals and lodging for the victims of the fire at the Fair View Recreation Center. Photo by Daysha Eaton, KSKA – Anchorage

Sixteen-year-old Sarah Mesik returned to Glynwood Manor with her parents to see if they could salvage anything from their former home, but fire officials wouldn’t let them in. Mesik says her family of 10 had lived in the apartment since May when they moved to Anchorage. With five kids in school, Mesik says, they need clothes and school supplies.

“I feel really bummed because I have a lot of school supplies inside, especially clothing,” Mesik said. ”Because it’s very cold in the shelter, but we’re still hoping for the best and hopefully everything will turn out good for everybody who lives here, in Mountain View.”

Fire officials say flames spread quickly through the 38-unit apartment complex. It was built in 1963. The building is still standing, but officials say it’s a total loss.

Laura Spano is a spokesperson for the Red Cross of Alaska. She says 37 people displaced by the fire stayed at a shelter at the Fairview Recreation Center Thursday night.

“Everybody is without a home right now,” Spano said. ”So we’ve opened the shelter to make sure that we get everybody’s immediate needs taken care of and work to give them referrals for long-term housing and long-term care.”

“In any disaster like this, almost everything in your home has been lost so we’re gong to provide assistance for them to be able to replace their clothing and those basic necessities.”

Spano says the shelter will remain open through the weekend.

The best way to help the victims of the fire, she says, is to make a donation to the Red Cross of Alaska.

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